It appears some people are taking the constant warnings about swine flu seriously.
Little do they know, they already may have caught it. This mostly mild influenza strain, called H1N1, has been spreading across the nation since April. Health officials say some of those infected have had such light symptoms they may have dismissed them as little more than a stuffy nose or fatigue.
Florida Department of Health estimates show that as many as 12,000 of Hillsborough County's 1.2 million people may have been infected with the virus. They vary from people with no obvious symptoms to the six county residents who have died from flu-related illnesses.
It's those with the mildest symptoms who most need to heed the warnings - washing hands, covering their mouths when coughing, staying home from work and school. Although they may not feel lousy, they're carrying a virus that by some estimates will infect three times the number of people who get sick in an average flu season.
...
"There are probably people who have swine flu with no fever and just a stuffy nose," said Doug Holt, Hillsborough County Health Department director. "If we can keep most of them out, it helps."
Click for Full Text!